Hey Book Nerds! Finally back on track for buddy reads! This one was a re-read for me but a first for Neko and I’m excited to share our thoughts!
Title: Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness #1)
Author: Tamora Pierce
Published: 1983
Pages: 274
K: ★★★★★
N: ★★★★
Synopsis:
From now on I’m Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I’ll be a knight.
And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page.But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.
Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins – one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.
Questions:
Favorite Character
K: I have to say the Thief King as well. He’s always been one of my favorites but I really like Alanna as well. Anyone who is ready to own up to who they are and take on something nobody has done is a winner in my books. Lots of respect even if she perhaps didn’t really know what she was getting herself into.
N: I want to say the prince, but truely it is the Thief King! Fool me once you get a warning, fool me twice I take your ear. Fool me three times and I take the other ear… and your head. Who wouldn’t love a boss like this! Plus he is helpful, true to his friends, a gentleman, and I am really hoping a love interest though again I think that will go to the prince…
Flags Raised
K: I don’t think I can answer this because I already know how things play out. Mwhaha
N: Ah! Is brother going to be the ultimate evil? Did anyone else get that feeling when the twins parted ways near the beginning?! Alanna feels that her brother will not be the same the next time they meet, he has to go darkside or I am going to rage! Also super duh, but what is the cousin really after? And when will the bully Mayvin (Malvin?) make another show? He has to meet Alanna at some point again to finish what was started in school!
Thoughts on ending? Without spoilers!
K: I forgot how abrupt the ending is. To be honest, it doesn’t really feel like an ending, I’m really glad I re-read it because I think I would have thought it ended later. It’s not bad, but I can’t imagine reading it for the first time and not knowing that the next book is already out.
N:I’m with Kayla on this. Boom. Ending. I was wondering where the rest of the book was… I’m really hoping the next one starts where this left off. If it doesn’t… So quick… So… Not an ending! lol
What character would you like to see more of?
K: I would have loved to see more interaction between Alanna and the thief kings mom. She seems like she’s got a strong personality and I think Alanna could do well to have some of that support from a fellow strong woman.
N: More Thief King! His mom was also cool, but yeah, seriously more King time would be awesome! I hope he sticks around in the books for a while!
Our Thoughts:
Kylana
Man this is a book I haven’t read probably in a decade but for a while I was re-reading it every couple years. I forget how much I enjoy Tamora Pierces writing and taking the time to put this post together I learned this book was written in 1983. I believe this is also considered a middle grade book which actually baffles me to some extent but I do think is something any middle grade person would enjoy, so would us grown adults. Great reminder that we shouldn’t judge a book based on what age/section it’s put in. It’s all worth giving a shot if it remotely interests us.
Neko
Sadly this is a middle grader reader and is better written than a lot of the books I have read recently. I was game to give it a go but wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did! Great characters, great plot, compelling, engaging, and so much can happen! And and and! Also we have to learn more about the brother! This was a great start to a series, there is so much potential that I can’t wait to get started on the rest of the books! I want to see how the characters grow and if they ever get caught! And I am looking forward to more good writing XD
So how many of you guys have read this book! Anyone not like it? Tell us! We love discussing and debating what we read!
Books, Boxes, & Baubles 
Aww, this is pretty cool. This is one of my fav series.
Yea, I totally like George too. Apart from Alanna, he’s another of my fav characters in this series. Also Myles.
Lol at all Neko’s questions.
Yea, the ending was really abrupt. The first time I reread it, I thought the publishers had just cut a larger book in two, but when I started on the second book, it seems like Pierce really had just stopped there for the first book.
Lol, more George. He’s awesome and I really liked his mom too. I forgot that she appears in the first book. I think when I read this as a kid, this was the only fantasy book I read that mentions a girl’s period. Helped to make it all a bit more relatable.
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It did feel like half the book was missing! And it is always interesting to come across a young female learning to deal with her changing body, I loved her wanting it to go away and being frustrated to learn how long women have menses! I really want the thief king (George?) to be a love interest though I think he will probably end up as more of a big brother… Waaaah! Can’t believe I waited so long to read this series!!
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